Right at HOME Magazine June 2017 Issue

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JUNE 2017

CHAMPION FOR PARKS AND PUBLIC SAFETY

District 9 City Council Candidate Marco Barros Page 4

Marco Barros, candidate for City Council District 9, stands at the entrance to the future Steubing Ranch Park.

Photo by: Greg Harrison

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Cornerstone Presents: Lysa TerKeurst - Friday, June 30, 6:30 p.m. Girls’ Night Out, with New York Times bestseller, president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst. Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway 78258; www.sacornerstone.org.

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MidSummer Night’s Dream Women’s 5K Run/ Walk/Jog – Friday, June 23, 9 p.m. Margaritas, martinis, mimosas and massage. Brackenridge Golf Course, 2315 Avenue B 78215; www.scallywompus.com.

Fourth of July Concert – Sunday, July 2, 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy music by Larry Gatlin at the evening service in the main sanctuary. Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway 78258; www.sacornerstone.org.

Schertz Fourth of July Jubilee – Monday, July 3, 6 – 11 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Tuesday, July 4, 8 a.m., 5K; 9:15 a.m., parade. Parade starts at Clemens High School and ends at Pickrell Park, with a carnival, live music, games, activities, barbecue.

Pickrell Park, 701 Oak St. Schertz 78154; visitschertz.com.

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Parents’ Night Out – Friday, June 23, 5:309:30 p.m. Leave the kids with the staff of the Mays Family YMCA for a parents’ night out. Games and activities for kids 6 months to 13 years. Mays Family YMCA of Stone Oak, 21654 Blanco Road 78258; 210-497-7088.

Kids Workshop – Saturday, July 1, 9:00 a.m. – noon. Kids can make a craft, receive a free certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a commemorative pin, while supplies last. Home Depot, 20740 U.S. Highway 281 North 78259; 210-494-5580.

Fireworks Display - Tuesday, July 4, 9:00 p.m.

The Club at Sonterra hosts a fireworks display that can be seen from locations across Stone Oak. The Club at Sonterra, 901 E. Sonterra Blvd. 78258; www.clubatsonterra.com.

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6/12-16

6/13-15

Texas Folklife Festival – Friday, June 9, 5 – 11 p.m., Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday, June 11, noon – 7 p.m.

The UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures will host the 46th annual Texas Folklife Festival, bringing more than 40 ethnic groups together in one place to showcase their food, traditional music and dance and authentic crafts.

UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. 78205; www.texancultures.com.

Cornerstone Vacation Bible School – Tuesday, June 13 – Thursday, June 15, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Daily activities include Bible lessons, songs, entertainers, games, hands-on activities, free lunch and snacks for children age 5 through 6th grade.

Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway 78258; www.sacornerstone.org.

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Stone Oak Rotary Club – Thursdays, noon – 1 p.m. Guests speakers weekly. The Club at Sonterra, 901 E. Sonterra Blvd. 78258; www.stoneoaksarotary.org.

Concordia Vacation Bible School - Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16, 9 a.m.- noon. Maker Fun Factory VBS - Created by God, built for a purpose! This free week of fun shares the love of Jesus with children ages 4 years – 5th grade through games, crafts, worship, and more. Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner Road 78258; concordialutheranchurch.com.

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sat/sun 3/4-11/25

Tejas Rodeo - Saturdays, March 4 – Nov. 25, 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. Enjoy live rodeo action: bronco riding, team roping, barrel racing, mutton bustin’ and calf scramble. Live music at 9 p.m. Tejas Rodeo Company, 401 Obst Road 78163; tejasrodeo.com.

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Legacy Farmers’ Market - Saturdays/Sundays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Local market features produce and handcrafted wares from area farmers, artisans and cottage industries. Legacy Shopping Center, 18402 U.S. Highway 281 North 78259; legacyfarmersmarket.com.

THURS

Upcoming Events

July 4th Celebration – Tuesday, July 4, fireworks, 9:30 p.m., activities throughout the day.

Official Fourth of July celebration offers live music, food, games, a parade, carnival and the H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza. Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati Ave. 78201; saparksfoundation.org.

Send your upcoming events to StoneOakInfo@gmail.com.

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Champion for Parks and Public Safety District 9 City Council Candidate Marco Barros

By Amy Morgan

A

s no District 9 city council candidate received a 50 +1 percent majority in last month’s elections, a runoff election will be held June 10. Marco Barros, the Republican candidate, shared his vision for the district and explained the impact of the city bond package that passed. $69 million is slated for District 9 to improve 16 different projects, he said. One of the largest is the addition of 200 acres of land at Steubing Ranch Park. The area is located right behind Las Lomas Elementary School, he explained, and will include open spaces, green areas and running and bike trails.

Barros eventually envisions trails connecting Steubing Ranch Park to Stone Oak Park, offering more space for runners, walkers and bikers in Stone Oak.

Recent examples of his influence can be found at the airport, where he has served for the past six years on the Airport Advisory Commission. Barros helped the director of the airport with route planning and adding more non-stop service.

One result: on May 1, Air Canada began flying non-stop to Toronto from San Antonio. He was also involved in bringing a Global Entry processing station to San Antonio four years ago, invoking the assistance of former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

He predicts District 9 will continue to grow and soon stretch all the way to the Comal County Line. That growth sparks a continued need for upgraded infrastructure, communication and public safety.

He said as soon as the city budget is approved in October, the public will be invited to help design the park.

An advantage Barros brings to District 9 is his 30 years of experience working with San Antonio community organizations, government, and leaders in businesses. He has spent decades developing these relationships. For 19 years, he has been president and CEO of the San Antonio Tourism Council, a private organization that coordinates among 250 members who are city leaders in industry. He can start working for constituents in District 9 with his feet on the ground day one – he will not lose time to a learning curve.

“I’m not a stranger,” he said. “I’ve represented this association (and San Antonio businesses) for 19 years. I’ve personally attended more than 1,000 meetings at City Hall. I’ve worked with more than 15 of the city departments, so I know what each does and exactly who to call to get things done.”

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Marco and his wife, Effie, have lived in District 9 for more than 30 years.

“The biggest improvement we can do is ease traffic flow,” he said. Barros expects to see construction begin by the end of the year on connectors at 281 and 1604 and five additional 281 overpasses, funded by the Texas Department of Transportation. He plans to help facilitate meetings in September with business owners and the public about the impact of the project and its five-year timetable. As for public safety, Marco will focus on filling the 240 open police positions while hiring more police and firefighters to keep up with growth. “Public safety is the most basic service we provide.”

He also is proud that the bond provides funds to build a service center for senior citizens in District 9 – the only district lacking such a facility. He said it will be modeled after the one recently built in District 10 on Thousand Oaks Drive and will offer the same services provided, including activities and meals.

When the new facility, to be located adjacent to Walker Ranch Park on West Avenue at Nakoma, opens next year, District 9 will re-locate its offices there, eliminating the cost of renting its current space in the Frost Bank Building on Thousand Oaks at 281. The District 9 field office will then expand its hours, opening Saturday morning from 9 – 11 a.m. to improve accessibility for District 9 residents, he said.

Barros is endorsed by Joe Krier, the retiring District 9 council member, as well as many other leaders in the far Northside area with whom he has worked closely, such as Elisa Chan, Tim Bannwolf, Carroll Schubert and Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff.

Pictured (L-R), Councilman Joe Krier, Commissioner Kevin Wolff, Marco Barros & Reagan Greer, Campaign Treasurer for both Krier and Barros.

After growing up in Santiago, Chile, Barros graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso. He spent time in business development across South Texas before coming to San Antonio to open Rivercenter Mall in 1988. He and his wife have lived in District 9 for 30 years. He believes the time is right for him to step into public service to benefit his community.

“We are very grateful as a family for the opportunities San Antonio has given us. We love this city,” he said. “My two children both graduated from North East ISD schools. So it is good to give back.”

RUNOFF ELECTION We Need Experienced Leadership to Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe

Marco’s solutions include: •

RUNOFF ELECTION DATES

• • •

Increase the number of patrol officers and firefighters.

Fill the 220 open Police Officer positions.

Redirect budget dollars to improve emergency response time Ensure new Police Substations and Fire

•

Stations are built to keep up with the growth.

Provide technologically advanced equipment to increase efficiency.

Early Voting

May 30 - June 6 Election Day

June 10 Political Ad Paid for by Marco Barros Campaign, Reagan Greer Treasurer

As a retired SAPD Detective, I know firsthand that

Marco will focus on your safety and security.

Marco and I worked for many years on protecting the citizens of District 9 inside and outside his HOA. If you want a Law and Order Councilman, you will have that in Marco Barros.

Phil Franzone

Retired SAPD Detective and District 9 Resident

M A R C O F ORC IT Y C OU N C IL . C OM 5

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Theater’s Shining Star Student Spotlight

By Amy Morgan

N

icholas Hone’s star shines brightly at Ronald Reagan High School. He has outstanding talent in fine arts, where he’s earned top positions in theatre and choir, combined with a strong work ethic, communication skills, and laser-beam focus.

“What I have discovered is that Nick is indeed one of the most talented and intelligent persons I have worked with in my 40 years of teaching,” said Reagan theatre department head Gloria Robinson.

“He is a great leader and organizes many of our community service activities. Nick does all this work with our department and still maintains a 4.0, taking 5-6 AP courses every year. Our school is quite large, over 3500 students, and our department is quite advanced, and yet Nick stands out,” she added.

Hone credits “GRob,” as he calls her, for inspiring his life’s direction.

“She has a shaped my four years. I came into high school wanting to be a doctor. Now I’m going to go into theatre. It’s a definite shift, but one I’m certainly happy about,” he said.

Nick has played Claudius in Hamlet, Sebastian in Cinderella, Archer in The Beaux Strategem, Riff in West Side Story, Chillingworth in The Scarlet Letter, Stage Manager in Our Town, and many other roles. He also sings tenor 2 in Reagan’s top music group, Chamber, whose 24 members recently won first place in the state wide American Tours Madrigal Festival. “Technically, we’re the best choir in Texas,” he said.

Robinson teaches her students to be well rounded, recommending they develop a technical specialty in addition to acting, Hone said, and she exposes them to the behind-the-scenes effort required for future success in the profession.

He has built a strong and varied collection of skills to augment his theater resume including: choral and musical theatre singing, Shakespearean acting and language, performance of accents, familiarity with many historical periods and dramaturgy. He can sight read sheet music and can understand and read French.

Hone is particularly enthusiastic about fight choreography, to which he was introduced at one of the Reagan theater department summer intensives taught by returning professional alumni. Proficient in Edwardian-style sword and hand-to-hand stage combat, he can use a bow and arrow, throw knives, and is experienced with firearms. He plans to become certified in different styles of combat and weapons by the Society of American Fight Directors.

Nick Hone will attend the University of Oklahoma, which contains a highly acclaimed theatre school, the second oldest in the country.

He will attend the University of Oklahoma, which contains a highly acclaimed theatre school, the second oldest in the country.

“My plan is to get the most solid education I can all around at the University of Oklahoma and get certified as a fight choreographer/director to pay the bills while I act,” he said. “There are hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma alumni in the theater business,” he added. “Connections are the name of the game.”

He attributes his mature thought process to both the tutelage of “GRob” and his parents, who are very supportive of his aspirations. “You have to be prepared and have a plan of attack. There are 100 of me at an audition,” he said, “so you have to have something that sets you apart.” He hopes there’s a casting director looking for “a mid-size, brown-hair, blue-eyed actor who’s certified in fight scenes and capable of doing a bit of a song,” he said.

“I have to work hungrier than other people. My parents always said, if you are going to be a bear, be a grizzly,” Hone added.

A prediction: Nick Hone’s star will rise sooner rather than later.

Nick Hone as Riff, a lead in Reagan’s spring production of West Side Story.

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Around Town

The Club at Sonterra hosted the annual Taste of the Northside Fiesta Event on Wednesday, April 26th. Over 9000 visitors attended this incredible fundraiser for the Brighton Center.

On Sunday, May 7, 2017, Hollywood Park officials and residents held the grand opening of the new Voigt Park and Community Center. As a part of the park, there will be a golf cart access gate to The Club at Sonterra for those residents who wish to join the club.

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PET TIP

Don’t Mix Fido and Fireworks

By Randi Pinner

S

ummertime celebrations often include outdoor barbecues and fireworks.

As fun as the festivities are for humans, some components may be hazardous or frightening for your furry family members.

Fireworks: While the noise, flash and burning smell of fireworks evoke excitement in people; they scare dogs. A panicked dog, especially one left outside, may jump a fence or break a restraint to get away from the frightening sights and sounds.

Just being around fireworks can cause physical damage to dogs, which are naturally inquisitive. Lit fireworks can severely burn their face and paws, and even unused fireworks may contain potentially toxic chemicals such as arsenic, potassium nitrate and other heavy metals. Lighter fluid and matches are also poisonous to animals.

Going to a night parade or event? Don’t adorn your dog with glow sticks. Your pet could chew them up and/or swallow them. The ASPCA states that while not highly toxic, “excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.”

Too many people in an unfamiliar, noisy, crowded place can cause dogs anxiety. Add loud fireworks, and you have a recipe for disaster. Remember, too, never leave your pet locked in a car, where temperatures can quickly rise to a dangerous level, causing brain damage, heat stroke or death.

Festivities: What about that picnic, where you may be tempted to slip man’s best friend a little snack from the table or a sip of alcohol? Don’t do it! Festive foods that could harm your pet include onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes and raisins, salt, and yeast dough. And alcohol is extremely dangerous to dogs. Just small amounts of alcohol can cause your dog to become dangerously intoxicated, go into a coma, or in severe cases, die from respiratory failure. Even beer is toxic; fermented hops and ethanol are poisonous to dogs (and cats).

Sunscreens and pesticides must be chosen to be dog-safe, as well. What isn’t toxic to humans can be toxic to animals. According to the ASPCA, oils, candles, insect coils, and other citronella-based repellants are irritating to dogs, The same applies with human sunscreen. Meanwhile, DEET, a common insecticide in products for humans, may cause neurological issues in dogs.

Keep in mind pets and fireworks don’t mix and crowded events may not be fun for your furry family members. Make sure your dogs are safely indoors and have a comfortable place to retreat while you celebrate.

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SENIOR MOMENT

Mathematician and Magellan

By Amy Morgan

J

ack Tull, Ph.D., retired associate professor of mathematics, has lived a vibrant life, leveraging his academic career to travel worldwide. His residence boasts many artifacts of his far-flung sojourns across the globe.

Tull was born in 1930 in Jackson, Mich. He studied at the University of Illinois, starting at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and graduating in 1952 from the Urbana-Champaign Campus. While Tull’s bachelor’s degree is in physics, it was the study of mathematics that captivated him.

“The theory of numbers was my specialty,” he said, becoming so inspired by the truth espoused

by Church’s theorem: There will never be day when all the mathematics problems have been solved, that he pursued both a master’s and doctoral degree in the subject.

Tull earned an associate professorship at The Ohio State University, from which he was able to take sabbatical leaves to teach at universities worldwide during his more than 30-year tenure.

He, along with his wife Kathy and children, spent two years in Australia in the early 1960s.

He expressed great admiration for the art of the aboriginal people and returned home with a didgeridoo – a 3-foot long musical instrument.

“The students liked me because I was a Yank,” he said, reminiscing about a bottle of “the best wine I have ever tasted.” Sadly, the local winery never exported their product, so the “Mythical Merlot” remains elusive.

Tull’s next adventure was the summer of 1966, where he lectured on abstract algebra at the University of Allahabad in a northern province of India. He commented on the grandeur of the point where two great rivers of India, the Ganges and the Jumna, converged.

“The rivers were different colors,” he observed, “so they made an interesting combination.”

Tull was again able to include his family during 1970-71 spent at the University of Zambia in Africa. He was elected dean of humanities and mentored many lecturers there. Of particular mention were colleagues who had been banned in South Africa because of their disagreement with apartheid.

Life changed for Tull during the next decade. He divorced and, while accompanying his 10-year-old son to the ice skating rink, discovered two new passions. The first was learning to ice dance, a hobby he continued until age 65.

He was particularly fond of “the Kilian,” a set-pattern dance somewhat like square dancing on ice. He enjoyed participating in the group’s ice shows, once performing as Pappy Yokum, the father of comic strip character Lil’ Abner.

Jack Tull, Ph.D., retired associate professor of mathematics, traveled and taught in several countries. He is pictured here outside his apartment with some of the artifacts he collected during his travels.

Tour of Homes

It was on the ice that he met Mary, the woman who would become his wife for the subsequent 34 years, until her recent death last November 2016.

“I met her on the ice rink in Columbus. She was trying to learn how to skate backwards, so I gave her a lesson,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “She was wonderful to me, cheerful all the time.”

They spent from 1984-1986 in Indonesia, where he taught at Gadja Mada University. Mary, an artist, learned to batik. They loved traveling to the tiny, almost deserted island of Gili Air, where they would sleep in grass huts on stilts and snorkel right from the beach.

They retired to Seattle in 1977, where he remodeled and rewired both their main residence and a cabin on Center Island.

Last month Tull moved to Independence Hill Resort Retirement Community to be near his elder daughter, Laura, who lives in the area. The rest of his family are flung from Germany to the Philippines and include son Andy, daughter Tara, step-daughter Anna, step-son Nathan and 12 grandchildren. His brother Bob, with a doctorate degree in astronomy, lives in Austin.

Tull looks forward to visiting San Antonio’s art museums and enjoying the activities at Independence Hill.

Jack Tull picked up ice dancing as a hobby in his early 40s and continued to perform until he was 65 years of age.

Join us for champagne

brunch and tour of our neighborhood of homes.

Wednesday, June 28th, 2017 10:00am - 12:00pm RSVP by Monday, June 26, 2017

20550 Huebner Road San Antonio, Texas 78258

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Neighborhood of Homes, Full Service Apartments and Assisted Living

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Green Grass Guru

By Amy Morgan

is Agronomy? And why would someone choose it for a W hat profession? These questions are familiar to Mark Soto, new

director of Agronomy for the Club at Sonterra. Agronomy is the branch of plant science that pertains to turf grass management – specifically as it relates to sports on golf courses, football or baseball fields or grounds for resorts, he answered. In this role, Soto is responsible for maintaining both of Sonterra’s golf courses, as well as the landscaping around the tennis facilities and clubhouse.

He oversees 16 staff members in the club’s grounds maintenance department.

While at his alma mater, the University of Arizona, Soto searched for a field in which he could marry his interests in golf and science.

A plant science degree from the department of turf management provided the perfect blend.

“I was taking science classes, but I just couldn’t see myself indoors all day,” he said. “I don’t have the talent to be a professional golfer, but I can definitely grow grass,” he laughed. Soto emphasized the delicate balance between the scientific and the artistic aspects of his profession.

“You try to utilize everything you understand about the biology of the plants to lay out the course so it is aesthetically pleasing to the golfers, the facility and the surrounding homes,” he said. “I look at each hole as if it is in a picture frame. I want to be able to deliver a visual experience at the club as close to what the normal golf enthusiast will see when they watch their favorite golfer playing on TV.” Soto brings more than 14 years of experience at high-end private and public courses, most recently holding the superintendent position at the Max A. Mandel Golf Club in Laredo. The 18-hole municipal course is a Robert Trent Jones II Signature golf course containing 110 acres of maintained turf with Tifdwarf greens and Princess 77 fairways, tees and roughs, with breathtaking views of the Rio Grande valley.

Prior to Laredo, he had the opportunity to develop Indura Beach & Golf Resort in Tela, Honduras. The 18-hole Gary Player Signature Design resort golf course on the northern coast of Honduras, the first of its kind in the country, is situated on 1,800 acres of land adjacent to the Jeanette Kawas National Park and comprised of 125 acres of Platinum Paspalum TE encompassing greens, tees, fairways and roughs. As head, he created the course from the ground up, which meant overcoming obstacles unique to building in a developing nation.

“The most difficult portion was trying to grow grass using an inconsistent water source that was not typically ideal,” he said. Soto planted the first three holes using 11 acres of grass sprigs imported from Florida, then used those holes as a nursery from which to harvest sprigs to plant each subsequent hole– for a total of 120 acres.

In 2014, Soto repatriated his family, as his elder son, Mateo, now 7, was ready to start school. Since their return, he and his collegesweetheart wife, Ana, have added another son, Alexi, 1, to their family.

Soto is excited to tackle specific aspects of keeping the Club at Sonterra’s courses in top shape.

Junior Summer Golf Camps

Half day camps are geared toward younger children ages 6-12 that are beginner to intermediate golfers. Each camp will cover the basic fundamentals of golf such as the rules, etiquette, grip, posture, alignment, putting, full swing, short game and more.

If your Junior needs clubs please let us know.

Camp dates: June 13th- August 11th Tuesday-Friday 9am-11:30am $100 per Member • $125 per Non-Member Call the Pro Sho to sign up and get the specific schedule.

210-491-9900

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Mark Soto is the Director of Agronomy at The Club at Sonterra.

“The north course is very visually impressive,” he said, “with a lot of undulation, large mounding, rock outcropping, and elevated greens. Their grooming requires hand detailing. There’s a lake with big, beautiful waterfalls that come down from the greens area. The rock work on them is phenomenal. Part of their beauty is the water cascading down.”

He also plans to implement his personally-proven maintenance schedule to make “our staff as efficient as they can be and provide players with the best possible playing conditions,” Soto said. He envisions devoting effort to the north course waterfalls and the handwork needed to “really make the place pop!”

Sign up for Junior Golf Camp and your Fee will be applied to your Initiation Fee to become a new member at The Club at Sonterra.

Mention this ad. Ask for details at the Club.

~ Our Amenities ~

Two 18-hole Championship Golf Courses Men’s & Women’s Golf Associations Jr. Golf Programs 25 Tennis Courts Tennis Leagues & Junior Clinics Jr. Olympic Swimming Pool Fitness Center Kids Club

Active Military Discounts

~ Social Activities ~ New Year’s Eve Gala Quarterly Member Mixers Valentine’s Dinner Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Brunch every Sunday Wine & Liquor Tastings Summer Music Series Kids Club with Mini Camps Clubs within a Club

Julie Golla | Director of Membership | jgolla@ClubAtSonterra.com

901 Sonterra Boulevard • 78258 • 210.483.4292

www.ClubAtSonterra.com • Facebook .com/ ClubatSonterra

Real and Relational

By Amy Morgan

edicine critical care nurse Annette Jurkovac, B.S.N., R.N., serves as an unofficial ambassador for University Health M System, a role perfectly suited to her positive personality. She

exudes enthusiasm and love for her job, her unit, and the hospital in which she trained and has worked for the past four years.

Jurkovac even represents her nursing colleagues in a television commercial featuring University Health System.

Jurkovac said the nurses who took care of her when she delivered her two children inspired her to join the profession.

“Those nurses hold a special place in my heart,” she said. “Nurses have such an intimate relationship with their patients. I wanted to be that bedside caregiver. I was lucky, I found that I absolutely love it.”

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the UT Health Science Center School of Nursing. She completed her final clinical rotation as a nursing student in the Medicine Critical Care Unit (MCCU) at University Hospital, where she spent more than 100 hours following one of the senior nurses.

“It is a fantastic place to work – the culture of a teaching hospital attracts the most brilliant physicians,” she enthused. “I completed rotations at other hospitals. Nowhere did it feel like home the way University did.”

Jurkovac values the personal attention she is able to devote to her patients.

“We all have our great stories of the patient you’ll never forget,” she said. Especially memorable was a young man whose lungs were destroyed when he was involved in an oil rig chemical explosion.

As he waited for a lung transplant, he was bound to a ventilator for his every breath. Jurkovac was privileged to care for him during his stay in the MCCU. “I went to see him on the transplant floor after his lung transplant surgery,” she said. “I gave his mom and his wife a hug. When I asked him what it felt like, he answered, ‘I can breathe!’ It was such an amazing feeling. It gives me goose bumps every time I think of it – that never gets old.”

The opportunity to build meaningful relationships with her coworkers is another aspect Jurkovac especially enjoys.

“Every single nurse I work with is the most amazing, the most compassionate, the hardest working person. They have the biggest hearts and the strongest backs. I love what I do, and I believe I am the kind of person I am because of the people I surround myself with,” she added. She praises her unit’s experienced nurses with long tenure who mentor the newer nurses.

Annette Jurkovac, B.S.N., R.N., has worked in the Medicine Critical Care Unit of University Hospital for the past four years.

“We have balance in our unit, and we complement each other. The older nurses share their wisdom, and the younger ones help us become more technologically savvy. I’m right in the middle and can appreciate both aspects,” she said. “Every day you are learning. There’s always something new in nursing, whether you’ve been doing it for 30 years or it’s your first day,” she added.

Balance is important to Stone Oak resident Jurkovac, and especially as her children, 12 and 10, have become more involved in extracurricular activities. Her position at University Health System is incredibly flexible. She currently works part time – often two, 12-hour shifts a week – allowing her more opportunity to spend with her family and husband of 13 years, an Austin firefighter.

“I am lucky, I can schedule myself around a bike rodeo or an orchestra concert. We swap shifts to keep the family/work balance intact,” she said. “I hope I am a good role model for my daughter.”

Jurkovac remains an ambassador for University Health System as she passionately pursues her profession.

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